Mark Cavendish has hit out at social media trolls sending him and his family "violent and threatening comments".

The 32-year-old's Tour de France came to an end in difficult circumstances on Tuesday after he broke his shoulder in a horror crash.

Cavendish appeared to be elbowed by Peter Sagan into the barriers during the bunch sprint at the end of the race.

The Slovakian world road race champion was thrown out of the competition as a result, but Cavendish insisted there is no bad blood between the cyclists.

Mark Cavendish has hit out at social media trolls (Image: @MarkCavendish/Twitter)

Speaking on a video, which he posted on his official Twitter account, the rider instead hit out at social media trolls targeting him and his family following the crash.

"Sorry for the late update but I was in the hospital until gone 11 o'clock last night getting checked on my shoulder and unfortunately I have got a break to my shoulder blade," Cavendish told his fans.

"So there's no more Tour de France for me and I am on my way home, I'll miss the race that I built my career around, but it goes on.

The 32-year-old's Tour de France came to an end after a horror crash (Image: Photoshot/Avalon.red)

"With regards to the sprint yesterday, unfortunately these things happen in cycling, especially in the chaotic finale of the sprint.

"But just know there are no hard feelings between Peter and I, we are friends and he came to apologise after and he called me in the evening as well.

Cavendish appeared to be elbowed by Peter Sagan into the barriers (Image: STEPHANE MANTEY/AFP/Getty Images)

"So that's the measure of the man he is, and I know he is a great world champion, he is great for the sport and I think we will both be missed on the Tour de France in the final and by our teams.

"I think, one thing, everybody is going to be entitled to their opinions, I know full well that I am paying now as a 32-year-old for the petulant attitude I had as a kid unfortunately this will never leave me.

The 32-year-old Brit's shoulder was broken in the fall (Image: AFP)

"And I will always deal with the brunt of people's personal opinions.

"Please know this is sport, I have a family, I am a 32-year-old and violent and threatening comments on social media to myself and my family isn't deserved.

Cavendish said there is no bad blood between him and Sagan (Image: PA)

"I ask you to respect that and please not send threatening and abusive language to myself and my family.

"Thank you to everyone for the well wishes and I hope you continue to enjoy the rest of the Tour de France."